Design Services

Frontier Builders offers complete design services to help in the construction of your new log home. Before construction can begin on your log building, we need to have a complete set of working drawings. The production of working drawings is done in two phases.

Preliminary Drawings

This is when the size and character of your home is developed. Included are the floor plans, elevations and one section. We use a 3-D modeling program to help you visualize the look of your home. When the preliminary design phase is completed, we can provide a firm proposal for the construction of your new home. Plan on a minimum of 6 weeks for the completion of this phase. To begin the preliminary design process we have a Design Contract that is signed between Frontier Builders and the prospective client.

As part of the design process we sit one-one with the prospective buyer and develop the final design using state of the art 3D CAD software. The CAD program we use at Frontier Builders is ARCHICAD. Archicad allows us to build a virtual 3D model of the entire structure as we develop the 2D floor plans. During the revision process we continually refine the look and feel of the home using the outstanding rendering capabilities available through Archicad.

After the preliminary design has been completed and the plans are approved by the client, we begin the Estimating Process. The preliminary plans are used by Frontier Builders and the associated subcontractors (Excavation, foundation, septic, plumbing, etc.) to develop a project estimate. The scope of the estimate can vary dramatically depending on what level of Contracting Services are needed by the prospective buyer.

Construction Drawings

The Construction Drawings are completed after a project has been contracted and are used by the contractors to complete your project. In addition to the floor plans and elevations, sections, finish schedules and details will be included as necessary. You can figure approximately one month for the completion of this phase.

Plan Pricing

The cost for producing preliminary plans is $1.00 a square foot. Square footage is based on the log footprint of the structure. We ask for a $500.00 deposit before beginning the drawings. The construction drawings cost an additional $1.50 a square foot.
All monies paid toward drawings, except the initial down payment of $500.00, will be credited towards the purchase your log package. Certain structures require us to consult with a registered structural engineer. Should this be the case, you will be notified and billed separately for these fees. These fees are not credited toward your log package.

Experience

Our designer has 25 years of computer related and construction experience. With a bachelors degree in Applied Mathematics and a minor in Architectural Design, he brings valuable skills to the Frontier Builders design process. Utilizing the latest technology in CAD and 3D rendering Frontier Builders provides the ability to visualize and walkthrough every aspect of your dream house before you build it.

Contracting Services

Every project has varying levels of contractor involvement and is typically dictated by the home buyers schedule, location and budget. Frontier Builders can provide just the log shell to be erected on an existing foundation and subfloor as well as complete turn-key finished projects.
The level of contracting services required feeds directly into the project estimate. Contractor management fees are included in the project estimate commensurate with the level of involvement Frontier Builders is expected to provide.

Estimating Services

After the preliminary drawings have been accepted by the client, the estimation process begins. This can take anywhere from 2-6 weeks. We separate the estimate across the functional areas of the construction process to include:

• Planning/Permits
• Foundation
• Framing
• Exterior Windows & Doors
• Electrical Systems
• Plumbing Systems
• HVAC System
• Fireplaces & Trim
• Roof
• Insulation & Drywall
• Exterior Finish
• Cabinetry & Countertops
• Interior Trim
• Floorcovering
• Interior Finishes
• Door & Closet Hardware
• Exterior Areas & Finishes
• Log Package
• Supervision

After a project estimate is completed and the Home buyer has agreed to build with Frontier Builders, a Construction Management Agreement and a Log Package Construction agreement are signed between the buyer and Frontier Builders.

Construction Management Agreement

The Construction Management Agreement specifies the level of service Frontier Builders is contracted to provide to the buyer. This legal agreement details the conditions necessary for the start of the new home project, project schedule and subcontractor responsibilities. This document must be signed and returned to us before construction can begin.

Log Construction Agreement

Before starting the construction of the client’s Log Package, the “Log Construction Agreement” must be signed by Frontier Builders and the new client. This legal agreement details the conditions necessary for the start of construction on your log package, payment scheduling and detailed specifications of what is included in the log package. This Document must be signed and returned to us with the first full payment before construction can begin.

Log Package

The Log package consists of everything “round.” This includes the following:

• Log walls
• Log floor joists and ties
• Log roof framing (rafters purlins and ridge)
• Log trusses
• Log posts
• gable ends
• Log railings
• any other log materials as indicated by your plans

As an additional service, we can supply windows with installation and a variety of roof system. By providing these additional materials, your log home will be weather tight and ready for finishing when we leave your site.

Frontier Builders will go over the site preparation requirements necessary for the delivery of your log shell package. We require a clear area on at least one side of the building site to allow us to set up our crane and log trucks for the reassembly of your log home package.